ATG and AYTG wish all our members and supporters  an exciting , productive and fun filled 2026.

HAPPY & PEACEFUL 2026

The start of 2025  saw the completion of the new build and alterations in Abbey Lane making the theatre

accessible for wheelchair users with new pathways and new suite of toilets. We were able to extend the

seating for audiences and new dressing room/green room for actors.

Open Mic Nights continued into a tenth year with the final one being a packed John Hewitt Summer School night.

The launch of Folk Club @Abbey Lane by Eoin Kelly has proved to be a great outlet for local musicians, poets and singers

contuning on the last Friday of the month. 

Productions during the year   Mini Plays in Feburary ; Market Place Theatre Silver Anniv celebrations;

Trip to Sligo as film extras for 'You'll never believe who's dead'  arranged by our own Aisling Kelly.

Armagh Youth Theatre Group presented 'Treading the Boards' in May/June 

Over the year we had in house Improv evenings with Sophia Kelly and Adam taking the lead.

Rehearsals for 'Toxic Relationships' got in to full swing during the summer and staged in Market Place Nov1st tp full house.

A wee poetry book launch in Abbey Lane by two leg ends of the group Malachi AND Tim has to be recorded here.

And Saran Mackle performed with his band 'Blues Christmas ' evening in December.

Decision to enter 'Toxic Relationships' into the Ulster Festivals for 2026 with first new script reading on 18th Dec and Christmas get together for cast and members.

We seen the sad passing of two member/ friends of the group - Dudley Marjoram and Sean Boylan. To both families may they  rest in peace.

 The arrival of Malachi and Tim's long-awaited 'baby' was celebrated with their biggest fan at an emotional 

box opening ceremony this weekend.

Feeling very moved, and choked up at the time, was the photographer and Godmother Byddi -  (who apologises for the slightly out of focus snap). 

We can assure guests at the launch, The Unknown Poet is well in focus.

REMEMBER All welcome to the 'christening- launch' to wet the baby's head, namely The Unknown Poet!

Special launch night price of £12 for this poetic artistry. Drinks reception, music from Eoin Kelly  and FREE RAFFLE for a framed copy of the cover poem!!!

To celebrate Book Week NI, Armagh City Library is holding a Book Quiz on Tuesday 21^st October, 6:30pm-7:30pm.

Also for Book Week NI, Wednesday 22^nd October is Love Your Library day and we hope to get as many people as possible to

visit the library to help us complete our ‘Why I Love My Library’ display, and to enjoy some refreshments.

Our wonderful librarians in Armagh Library will be hosting this informal Poetry Club starting Wed 1st October.

This offers local poets, bards and scribes the opportunity to read their work, discusss ideas to write and

share experiences in the art of poetry. ( and maybe a free coffee)

Set in the relaxing ambience of our historic Market St Library, the FREE hourly session is open to all who have

live with the burning urge to write down those jumbled collections of thoughts that swim around your mind.

This is a diary date....get it down.

The inaugural night of 'Folk Club @Abbey Lane' got off to a great start with a variety of singers, musicians and poets

entertaining for over 2 hours. With the 'Adrian Kissane Trio' leading the way and Pauline McDonald , the singing MC,

the evening was peppered with new and well known singalong songs from local talents.

Next occasion is Friday 26th 8.30pm start. BOYB and just £10 @ door from 745pm. All talent welcome to try out your own compositions

or sing/ recite your favorite piece with a supportive audience in a relaxed atmosphere of Abbey Lane Theatre. 

Here are some of the performers on the night. 

'And in a packed programme tonight..'  Monty Python

And in a packed Abbey Lane on Friday night our Open Mic got a great send off with over 30! wonderfully talented poets, writers, musicians and singers.

Joining those, our special guest King Colin (Hassard) . A surprise appearance of spoken word Queen Cathy Carson and musical opening by Eoin Kelly. 

This was one of the biggest turnouts in the 10 years of the monthly event . Hosted by Malachi and assisted by Matthew Toner (techy) Tim Hanna ( box office) and a loyal team of assistants  the bammy summer evening allowed for an overspill on to the courtyard.

So in no particular order contributors were Poets :John Henderson; Michaela McDaid; Emi Uyemastsu; Sarah McCaughan; RosalineCallaghan; Orla Finnegan; Tadhg Carey; Ashton Palmer; Darcy Dougan; Amy Louise Wyatt; Alex Cregan; Yvonne Boyle; Malachy Harris; Nicole Yurcaba; Mars Duignan;

Veronica Keys; Fin Keegan and Malachi Kelly. 

Singers/Musicians:  Fiona Keane, Mayo; Jonathan Byrne, Newry; Ryan Delaney

Writers/Performers/Prose :  Niall McArdleJohanna Gallagher; Joseph Conlan; Siobhan Murphy; Molly McGill;  and the one and only Dymphna Ferran.

Highlighting the disaster continuing in Gaza  were Valerie Byrne, Margaret Holland and Barry McKee.